Red Cross cares for family displaced by Lower Providence fire

Fire destroys a home in the 2000 block of Blackbird Circle, Lower Providence, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013. Fire damaged the home during the afternoon. It appeared to be extinguished but re-ignited about 10 p.m. Photo by Adrianna Hoff/Times Herald Staff.

LOWER PROVIDENCE — The Red Cross provided shelter to a family that was displaced by a fire in the 2000 block of Backbird Circle Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Lower Providence Township Fire Marshal, the Montgomery County Detective Bureau and the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal are investigating the blaze that reignited in a home late Wednesday night after it was believed to be extinguished by firefighters during the afternoon. The re-ignited blaze destroyed the home.

A family of four had arrangements made for them through the American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania, which reached out to them after the home was rendered uninhabitable by the initial afternoon fire, according to spokeswoman Sara Smith.

Lower Providence Volunteer Fire Company, Lower Providence Township Police Department and Lower Providence Community Center Ambulance were dispatched to the report of a fire at the residence at 3:05 p.m. Wednesday.

The first police officer to arrive at the scene reported heavy smoke in the area of the chimney. A 55-year-old male occupant of the house was transported to Phoenixville Hospital and treated for smoke inhalation. Three more adults were evacuated. Additional assistance was provided by Jefferson Fire Company, Norristown Fire Department, Worcester Fire Company, Collegeville Fire Company, Black Rock Fire Company and Skippack Fire Company. The fire was brought under control and all fire units departed the scene by 6:25 p.m. A contractor secured the residence by boarding up the doors and windows after the first blaze.

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At 10 p.m., the Lower Providence Volunteer Fire Company, Lower Providence Township Police Department and Lower Providence Community Center Ambulance returned to the scene after a next-door neighbor reported seeing smoke coming from the roof and flames inside the house. Both floors of the residence were engulfed in flames when police arrived.

Additional fire units from the Collegeville Fire Company, Black Rock Fire Company, Collegeville Fire Company, Worcester Fire Company were requested and responded. The second blaze collapsed the roof and caused extensive damage to the home’s interior. Fire units were on the scene until 4:30 a.m. There were no injuries.